Russia wants Egypt to remain stable state - Lavrov

Russia wants Egypt to remain a stable state with an effective political system, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said today on the results of talks with his Egyptian counterpart Nabil Fahmi.

"We believe that the work that is currently being done there, including the drafting of the new constitution and the holding of a referendum, will help the Egyptians move forward and achieve the long-wished results," the minister said.

"Russia remains committed to the principle of non-interference in the domestic affairs of other countries," Lavrov stressed.

"We have respect for Egypt's sovereignty as well as for the Egyptians' right to decide their fate," he added.

Russia and Egypt are committed to further strengthening of partnership and mutually advantageous cooperation, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said: "Egypt was and remains Russia’s leading partner."

"This year we mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. We achieved considerable progress in bilateral cooperation. These are joint projects of 1950’s-1960’s and up-to-date projects in energy, agriculture, tourism and machine-building," the minister said.

"Despite the global economic crisis, in recent years trade between Russia and Egypt has considerably increased," he said.

Lavrov noted the active development of humanitarian relations. "Thousands of Russians live in Egypt and do business. Hundreds of Russian citizens arrive in Egypt to study at universities while young Egyptians work in Russia," he said.

"This is the base on which we should build more fruitful relations," Lavrov added.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Egypt's state-run al-Ahram daily that it was necessary to comply with international law and the UN Charter in contributing to the political settlement in Syria.

"It is necessary to comply with international law and the UN Charter," the minister said, adding, "The interference into a sovereign state’s affairs is unacceptable."

"The crisis in Syria can’t be resolved by force. It can be settled by political and diplomatic means through direct dialogue between the authorities and the opposition," Lavrov said.

"As we realise the Egyptian authorities are committed to convening the Geneva-2 Peace Conference as soon as possible. They are ready to contribute to the political settlement of the conflict," the minister said.

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